MP Eager to Interact with Arab States

Service : Politic

TEHRAN, May 15 (ICANA) – A senior Iranian lawmaker has rejected the portrayal of “unique circumstances” in Iran's diplomatic ties with Arab states, describing Tehran relations with the Arab world as normal.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 1:45:09 PM

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is in constant interactions with Arab countries on regional and international issues. There is no particular problem in this respect,“ said Head of Iran's Majlis (parliament) Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi on Sunday.

He pointed to “ordinary” diplomatic ties between Iran and Arab countries and added that some elements tend to highlight "the imperative of holding talks between the two sides, portraying that there are unique and specific circumstances involved."

“Interaction and cooperation between Iran and the Arab world are totally different. Iran has strategic relations with Syria and Lebanon but certain countries act in line with US (policies),” the Iranian legislator pointed out.

He referred to misunderstandings between Iran and certain Arab countries and noted that negotiations are underway between the two sides to resolve such issues.

He further explained that Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi made a regional tour of certain Persian Gulf littoral states, including Iraq, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, last week and said such visits would be continued in the future.

Boroujerdi's remarks came after Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa reiterated the need for the Arab world to hold talks with Iran, saying on Friday that there is no replacement for dialogue with Tehran.

In an interview with the Kuwaiti newspaper Ennahar, Moussa emphasized the inevitability of Iranian-Arab dialogue towards resolving outstanding differences.